The Art of Working
Is working an art form? If yes then those who love what they do have done wonderful things with it and made it an art form. I originally wanted to title this article “Happiness at work” but then it would make the skeptical and cynical lot turn away and not give it the time of the day.
Drudgery, mundane, suffering are these the definitions for work?
Read the next sentence slowly and carefully, its easy I promise.
We can be the best at what we do and yet not care about it.
Is this possible? From the nine years that I have been working my opinion is that its not possible, not by a long shot. Its when we cherish what we do and allow ourselves to become a channel for all our positive energy and talents that work transcends to the next level. Ok, I know what everyone is thinking now, this person is a workaholic. Work has changed over the centuries; whether its building a pyramid or bridges, civilizations have had their foundations built on, you guessed it – Hard work! Evolution progressed because we got tired of sitting and waiting for the next disaster? Ok I made this last one up.
So how can we make work, work for us.
I think the key to making work, work for us is first finding the right motivation, lending it energy by believing in ourselves and finally watching it influencing others and slowly and steadily building a positive work environment. There are times when we all need some kind of re-assurance about the larger picture, what am I doing and what is my purpose here? No matter how cynical one is we all ponder over this. I read a book a few years ago written by the Dalai Lama and Dr Howard C Cutler and the book focused on transforming dissatisfaction at work.
They delved into many areas and for this article I will focus on three of them that matter to us.
What is my purpose here?
Ripples in water travel from inside to the outside, this is common knowledge. So also anything to do with our environment begins from us extending outwards. Its wrong to assume that if we keep quiet and just go from day to day, we don’t affect our environment and the greater purpose. Something motivates us all, for some its success, for some its remuneration and for some just getting by is fine. However the key here is not about judging people for their various motivations, its to use them to somehow mutually benefit one another. Any work environment is like a breathing organism and its fuelled by the input we give it. Understand what motivates you but also understand how your motivations affect your immediate environment.
Its this understanding that can build a cohesive team, not everyone in the team will have the same attitude or the same mindset.
Conflicts are common in the workplace, the lines often blur between what one has to do and not do. When In doubt, discuss it, talk about it constantly and raise a flag. Let your team know that there is a genuine conflict that’s bothering you and possibly affecting your performance.
Its difficult to change peoples mindset, because their circumstances make them who they are. What we try to do is ensure that we have tried 100% to correct the situation.
Survival
Some of us work to survive, we do it to take care of all our priorities and responsibilities. This is not wrong, why shouldn’t survival be a motivation at work?
But what if we are so humbled and weakened by the need to get by we don’t realize what we are really capable of. Most often than not people are performing at less than true potential.
What does it take to unlock this potential? Here is where the team and mentors come in, recognize and reward this person and give them a reason to believe in themselves. It will take time to see that person reach their optimum level, but the team will one day realize what a powerful being they have in their midst.
Productivity and Happiness
We take meaning from so many things in our life, what’s wrong in taking meaning from work. If someone told you that by just getting up and getting to work, you could win a lottery, wouldn’t you do it and with renewed vigor?
No, this is not a philosophical treatise or a sermon. Look beyond the obvious to realize the key to being happy and productive. Look at how you get to meet and observe other fantastic people, people from different cultures, different thought processes. You gain confidence and realize that this is a relationship not a bondage. Every relationship deserves to be nurtured and it takes commitment to see the benefits. Look at this way, just by believing in it and watching it grow, it will turn around and be there for you when you feel cornered. Work is not your nemesis, its not something you have to do. Work is not a punishment, it’s a way of being.
So take away a message from this article or not, but I hope you did it give it some thought.
Here is a quote from Sam Ewing and I think it’s a nice way to end this article
“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”